Springtime promises to be making its way just in time to see the last finishing touches of our 2011 upcoming collections. Here at Pergamino, we are excited to say that this, our second year in existence is going to be our best ever! Well, that is not saying a heck of a lot you might say given our toddler age but seriously, we are just thrilled at everything that is shaping up and that includes the holiday collection that we are hoping will finally be published for public consumption (yum!) this year. You, our lovey fashionistas are going to be blown away with the launch of our absolutely stunning website that gives your eyes what they’ve been devilishly craving to see in our collections. And before we know it, the holiday spirit will fill the air and it will be that time of year again - where we find ourselves successfully running around to fulfill gift lists, party-planning agendas, and family festivities. And we are designing and preparing to offer you with the most exquisite hand-crafted cards so that you can really show your loved ones just how fabulous they really are!
Take a sneak peak preview into our STUNNING 2012 Holiday Collection & tell us which one is the most fabulous!
Summertime.
and the living is easy…..Or is it?
For those of us that find ourselves stuck in the office for five - even six - days every week, Summer may seem like just another quarter of our year - the only difference is adding some ice cubes to our extra bold lattes.
As a society, we live seemingly unhealthy work lifestyles. Why is it that we work on labor day? Why is it that more and more businesses extend their working hours and days of service to a complete calendar year of 365 days? Why is it that we cannot seem to leave work in the office and often take it home with us - to often disrupt our home and family lives? It is obvious that the American society is subject to an infectious disease of work-aholism.
Here at Pergamino, we see differently. We find no guilt and shame in naughtily playing hookie and spontaneously skipping a day of work - and we do it with Class. After all, who can resist the temptation to spend a beautiful day in the Chicago sun when the city is buzzing and there’s fun to be had.
On so on Friday, this is exactly what we did. We dressed in our chicest beachwear, packed a basket full of Whole Foods’ deliciousness, and headed to the harbor to catch the boat - just in time to view the 2010 Chicago Air & Water Show. And what better way to witness - and hear - the acrobatic planes soaring ahead but from directly below in Lake Michigan - soaking up the 90 degree sunshine. Because sometimes, a day away from the office to reward ourselves may just be the one thing that is best for business.
So as summertime wraps up, break this torturous American lifestyle and learn from the ways of Pergie - Living, Loving, and Laughing through life. Take a day for yourself and do what you want with it - sieze the day and give yourself the reward it deserves!
Many of our loyal customers and fans are often curious as to where Pergamino calls home and we are proud to say that we are located in the most fabulous city in the nation: Chicago. As a young but ever-expanding business, we have grown from our original roots in a Chicago home-office to a new spacious studio in the beautiful River North neighborhood.
Luxurious would not particularly describe our office, however we see it as fabulous. As a converted warehouse building with an old-fashioned elevator and an antique, steep staircase, we see our unique location absolutely one-of-kind. On a typical day - or night because work never sleeps as an entrepreneur - you will find Monica, founder and creator of Pergamino, seated in a giant black chair, hidden behind the giant mac monitor positioned on her modern-chic desk. A giant mirror leaning against the adjacent wall opens up the space and generously gives light. You may also be distracted from the stapling and construction noises of our neighbors - for the high ceilings neglect to keep the sound from the next studio from reaching our office. But nothing that a little house music can’t buffer…Needless to say, the office of Pergamino has character!
OCD.
Well, we may be exaggerating for Pergamino is not officially diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder - but we are obsessed with the philosophy of mear perfection. That is, we always try to keep our office environment in the up most clean, organized, and positive of standards. Our expanding inventory of cards are strategically organized in large green boxes to allow for easy accessibility when fulfilling our increasing demanding orders. A mossy green color-scheme throughout the office compliments the royal purple tones of our products, which generates an optimistic and cheery attitude. After all, if the office is happy, the business is too.
And was it only a few weeks ago that our very own President Obama chose to dine with Oprah Winfrey to celebrate his 49th birthday at Graham Elliot? If only we would’ve known in advanced, we would’ve stuck around the office to get a sneak peak ourselves..
Monday, M o n d a y, M o n d a y…
How is it that we are met with seemingly impossible-to-handle stresses on the first day of our week, that not even Starbucks’ strongest Venti won’t relieve us from these frustrating situations? After all, aren’t mondays meant to ring in the new week? Here in the young office of Pergamino, we are feeling victimized by a harrasive* case of the Mondays.
So in times like this - when we find ourselves stressed to no end - we often remind ourselves that we are just like Pergie: We are Fabulous, first-class women that are capable of any situation, and with style. Frustrating phone conversations, sudden, demanding deadlines, and unreturned emails and messages make us feel like pulling our hair out, but we suddenly remember that as entrepenuers - our allotted time space for “emergency hair appointments” is limited. Alternatively, we decide to save us the salon trip and execute plan B: Opening Itunes, blairing Madonna, and GETTING TO WORK!
After all, who says Monday has to be in charge? Here at Pergamino, we say NO - we are in charge of Monday and so can you. Laugh when you want to scream, smile when you want to frown, and dance when you’ve been sitting in that desk waay too long.
And so CHEERS to you and this day- to your fabulousness overtaking every obstacle you may encounter and bringing about an absolutely fabulous week!
Noteworthy ink from our super-woman intern:
Entrepreneur. This is who I am going to become. I am going to do something original. I am going to create something BIG - revolutionary.
I am going to be different.
This is me - A rising junior at DePaul University studying Management and Marketing. At twenty-years-old, living and learning in one of the best cities in the world is not only fun - it is fabulous. The city is my classroom. Sure, siting through torturous lectures and cramming my brain with information to prepare for exams will guarantee me that sheet of paper which proves I have the discipline to complete a “proper” education. But it was not until I memorized Starbucks’ entire menu that I realized how hungry I was for more than just what is learned in a classroom. I wanted to learn more. I wanted to taste more. As always…I wanted MORE.
Enter Pergamino.
A fresh company that gave me exactly what I was craving: an internship that gave me the faith to believe that all dreams are possible - especially in your career. I must admit that my past history and experience with finding internships as an undergraduate student had discouraged me from searching for a summer internship. So it was not until I received a phone call from Monica that I sensed and felt such a strong chemistry that eventually lead me to my current position as the PR & Marketing Internship at Pergamino.
The Interview. Dressed in my business finest and black, patent leather pumps, I headed down to the beautiful, River North area to find myself in front of a vintage office building. As I entered through the glass double doors, I was greeted by a very friendly gentleman in an antique, crank elevator who assisted me to the 5th floor where I first met Monica in Pergamino’s headquarters. As I entered the office, I immediately felt a strong chemistry with Monica and was ultimately taken with Pergamino. She introduced me to her business - showed me to the exquisite cards and the high class products. She continued to share her journey that led her to becoming the businesswoman she is today - how she combined her passion for fashion and business - how she became proactive and turned her dreams into a reality.
It was not until we continued our conversation down the street at a beautiful, outdoor cafe (Prosecco for those foodies out there!) that I realized not only do I want to be a part of this rapidly growing company and build a relationship with a young company, but I wanted to learn from Monica. Whether it was her charismatic personality or her amazing journey leading her to establishing a business during an economic crisis, Monica impressed me as not only a successful entrepreneur but as a strong woman.
Two weeks later, I was busy at work in the Pergamino Office. I couldn’t wait to dig my nails deep as Pergamino’s very first HR & Marketing Intern. As expected, Monica came prepared with inventive ideas that I could help contribute to - needless to say, I’ve been busy! Every hour that I spend in my beautifully silk, lined chair and desk has been so enjoyable - I love what I do and this is truly a tribute to the success of Pergamino.
